Orcas
Island
A large, varied cruising island with two marinas, village services, local anchorages, dining destinations, and a primitive marine park spread across six distinct boating areas.
Deer Harbor
All private
Do not plan on public buoy use in Deer Harbor; the existing mooring balls are privately assigned.
Modern docks
Deer Harbor Marina offers transient dockage and side ties for vessels up to 110 feet.
Gas + diesel
A fuel dock is available. Confirm current hours before arrival.
Available
The marina lists pumpout facilities among its services.
Channel 78A
Hail the marina for slip assignments during business hours.
360-376-3037
Visit Deer Harbor Marina for reservations, current rates, and operating details.
Store + groceries
The marina lists a full-service grocery store, beer and wine sales, and a restaurant.
Island Pie
A Salty Ballers favorite for pizza. Popular periods may involve a long wait, so order early when possible.
Private buoys.
Use the marina.
Do not pick up an unassigned mooring ball. Reserve marina space for overnight access and confirm fuel, pumpout, restaurant, and store hours directly before arrival.
West Sound
Local boating spot
West Sound is quieter and often feels more like a local boating destination than a full-service visitor harbor.
Near Kingfish
Anchoring is possible off the West Sound shoreline near Kingfish. Select position using current charts and conditions.
Small dinghy dock
A small dock can provide dinghy access. Confirm current public-use boundaries and avoid blocking working access.
Kingfish
Reservations are highly recommended; for popular dates, plan well in advance.
360-376-4440
Call for larger-party availability and current service days.
None
No public mooring buoys are listed for this zone.
None
Plan to use Deer Harbor or another equipped marina for marine services.
Confirm dock access
Shore access and restaurant hours can change seasonally.
Olga
County dock
A county dock can provide local dinghy access. Confirm current landing rules and available space.
Assess locally
No specific public anchorage details are recorded here; use current charts, weather, and local conditions.
Orcas Island Artworks
The artist co-op occupies Olga’s historic strawberry barreling plant and showcases work by island artists.
Buck Bay
Buck Bay Bistro and Shellfish Farm is a nearby seasonal seafood stop. Confirm current opening dates and hours.
Limited / seasonal
Olga-area food and retail options are limited compared with Eastsound.
None
No fuel is listed at the Olga county landing.
None
No pumpout is listed at the Olga county landing.
None
No repair or maintenance services are listed for this zone.
Landing access,
not a full marina.
Treat the county dock as local shore access rather than full-service moorage. Confirm time limits, space, and seasonal business hours before committing to a visit.
Doe Bay
Doe Bay Cafe
A seasonal, garden-driven restaurant at Doe Bay Resort. Dinner reservations may be required in summer.
Doe Bay Resort
The resort offers lodging, a general store, spa facilities, beach access, and other guest amenities.
None
No public mooring buoys are documented for this zone.
None
Do not assume public transient dockage; contact the resort before planning water access.
Assess locally
Choose any anchoring position only after reviewing charts, depth, bottom, weather, and private shoreline boundaries.
None
No marine fuel or pumpout is listed at Doe Bay.
Confirm permission
Coordinate with the resort before using private beach or upland facilities.
Check ahead
Cafe menus, hours, reservations, and resort services change throughout the year.
Rosario Harbor
36+ slips
Rosario Harbor lists more than 36 slips. Reservations are highly recommended.
8
Eight marina mooring buoys are available in Cascade Bay.
Available
The harbor identifies safe anchorage in addition to slips and buoys. Verify position with current charts.
Fuel + showers
Fuel, restrooms, showers, beaches, and dog-friendly green areas are listed at the harbor.
Pool + dining
The outdoor pool, Harbor Bar & Grill, and Blackfish Cafe opened for the 2026 summer season.
Resort rooms open
Rosario Resort currently offers guestrooms and suites. The Moran Mansion is separately owned and remains closed.
Seaplane service
Daily seaplane flights are promoted directly into Rosario Harbor; account for aircraft activity around the landing area.
360-472-4866
Rosario Harbor handles marina information; Rosario Resort handles lodging and resort updates.
Harbor, resort,
and mansion differ.
Rosario Harbor operates separately from Rosario Resort and the Moran Mansion. The mansion is closed and its reopening timeline is unknown. Confirm marina, lodging, pool, restaurant, and seasonal service details with the appropriate operator.
Obstruction Pass
76 acres
Obstruction Pass State Park protects more than one mile of publicly owned saltwater shoreline on southern Orcas Island.
3
Three state-park mooring buoys lie just offshore at the south end of the park.
Phone-in available
Phone registration is available at the buoys; overnight moorage fees apply year-round.
None
There is no running or potable water. Carry enough for the entire visit.
9 primitive sites
Nine first-come, first-served sites include one Cascadia Marine Trail campsite.
2 composting toilets
Two composting toilets serve the camping area.
1.8 miles
The park includes approximately 1.8 miles of hiking trails and a self-guided interpretive route.
Pack it out
Bring all supplies and remove all trash and waste when departing.
No water.
No provisions.
Obstruction Pass is a self-sufficient stop rather than a service harbor. Arrive with drinking water, food, fuel margin, and a plan to pack out everything you bring.
Eastsound services.
Many shorelines.
Orcas Island is large enough that boating conditions and shore access vary substantially by location. Eastsound is the island’s principal town for groceries, shops, bars, restaurants, and general provisions.
Build the itinerary around the chosen harbor rather than treating Orcas as a single destination. Transit time between Deer Harbor, West Sound, Olga, Doe Bay, Rosario, and Obstruction Pass can be significant by road or water.
Eastsound
The island’s main commercial center offers the broadest concentration of markets, dining, bars, retail, and visitor services.
Matia Kitchen
Matia Kitchen is in Eastsound. Its official awards record identifies it as a 2023 James Beard Best Chef: Northwest finalist. Reserve well ahead for popular dates.
Judd Cove
Judd Cove can offer useful shelter when conditions deteriorate. Select an anchoring position only after consulting current charts, weather, depth, bottom, and local restrictions.
Plan services geographically
Fuel and pumpout are concentrated at equipped marinas. Many smaller landings and restaurant destinations do not provide full marine services.
2026
Lively year-round.
Worth exploring.
Salty Ballers most recently verified Orcas Island in 2026. We have visited the island many times, although most visits have been by ferry rather than private boat.
Eastsound has great grocery stores and useful provisions, but it is a car ride from many boating approaches to the island. Orcas remains lively throughout the year and is worth exploring beyond a single harbor.
Send updated local intel →This is a dated firsthand island record. Marina operations, restaurant hours, services, fees, access, and boating conditions can change; confirm directly and use current nautical charts.